ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: RAYLENE WALATINNA & INDULKANA

“I usually sit and paint next to my mother Betty Chimney, she has taught me so much about painting – we even make big paintings together. When I paint I feel very calm, and I think about all the beautiful country of the APY Lands. Our country and our culture are reflected in my paintings.”
Raylene Walatinna

Raylene Walatinna comes from Indulakana on the eastern side of the APY Lands. She has a dedicated art practice, painting at the art studio in Indulkana daily. Raylene was taught by her mother, the well known artist Betty Chimney, and in 2019 their collaborative work featured in the prestigious John Fries Award. Raylene takes her inspiration from the desert country that surrounds her. The artist studio in Indulkana is known as Iwantja Arts and is named after the creek that runs by the community. Raylene includes this site and many other sacred sites and important cultural markers in her art works. These include, jukitji's (soakages), tjukula's (rock-holes) and a tree that holds the Tjurki (native owl) Tjukurpa (dreaming). Raylene's decisive mark making and use of bold colour are skillfully used to embody the stories and beauty of the land that surrounds her.

Raylene comes from a community that places a high value on art and art practice as a means to tell stories and keep culture alive but also to provide creative excellence, training and income to the community. This in turn allows the Anangu to stay on country. Iwantja Arts supports many gifted artists including Alec Baker (a founder), Peter Mungkari, Betty Muffler, Julie Yatjitja and Nellie Coulthard. It also boasts a thriving emerging scene that supports the next generation of sought after artists such as Raylene. Keep an eye out for our exceptional September exhibition featuring Raylene's mother Betty Chimney and Vicki Cullens (previews available on request).

In our efforts to continue to support and promote the industry we love and the artists we work with during the pandemic, Short St Gallery are doing Artist Profiles and Community Spotlights regularly, often with a special promotion, so keep your eyes on our emails for that little bit of something special. Our current special promotion offers you free shipping on all purchases from Mangkaja Arts until the end of July.
You can access our fun new View on a Wall option by clicking on an image and then selecting View on a Wall. You can contact us via email or phone for all enquiries, to arrange a live chat or have additional images sent to you. We will also be posting videos and still footage of the featured artworks on our social media accounts to bring a little bit of the joy of art to your lounge rooms.